Designer Babys-Good or Bad Idea? (diseases)

[cardero]

Choosing Baby’s Traits-Good or Bad Idea?
Well it’s not Jordache or Levi’s but designer genes are all the rave.
What do you think?

What would you choose if you had the option?
What can’t we do that genes can do?

[CDRaider]

I think there is some validity to it for medical reasons. For instance, Spina Bifida is something they have not determined is fully genetic but they could remove, through designer babies, the things that have been associated with it could be good.

But I also don't like 'playing god' and I'd rather people take preventative measures such as vitamins and the like.

[CaptainXeroid]

On the surface it sounds like a great idea. Engineer babies that are less susceptible to birth defects and who have the most desirable traits, and mankind would advance lightyears.

I also think that history has shown that attempts at 'eugenics' can have very negative consequences if administered by men with evil intent.

I realize that Star Trek is not exactly real life to everyone, but from the original series episode Space Seed, 'Superior ability breeds superior ambition.'

Taking everything into account, I don't think I am wise enough to play God, so I would vote on the designer baby concept.

[Ciscokid]

Originally Posted by cardero

Choosing Baby’s Traits-Good or Bad Idea?
Well it’s not Jordache or Levi’s but designer genes are all the rave.
What do you think?

What would you choose if you had the option?
What can’t we do that genes can do?

I personally wouldn't do it, but I can't immediately say that it should be outlawed.

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by cardero

Choosing Baby’s Traits-Good or Bad Idea?
Well it’s not Jordache or Levi’s but designer genes are all the rave.
What do you think?

What would you choose if you had the option?
What can’t we do that genes can do?

I think it's a good idea that could have bad uses once it started being used. I'd support it only for medical reasons, not cosmetic.

[JMoum04]

I am against the idea of designer babies for a whole slew of reasons.

For instance, just because we've been able to map the human genome, that doesn't mean we understand fully how each individual gene works and affects a person, let alone what the results would be of various gene combinations, both direct and indirect. Who's to say we won't end up creating even worse genetic diseases in the long run? What would happen when we get an undesirable results, like a completely freakishly deformed or sick baby? What would we do with it?

At the same time, how would we prevent prejudice as a result of this new phenomenon? For example, say that we don't nuture and give natural born children the the same chances and opportunities as augmented children? Or what if this creates an even deeper rift in the social class system? Which would be very possible since it would be the upper class and the elites who would probably be able to afford designer babies. It would just be one more way of saying "We're more superior than those pesky lower class people."

Finally, what's to say that we won't use this to bring back the old class system? We'll design people who are smart to take care of businesses, people who are compassionate to take care of things like the medical field, and people who are strong to do manual labor? What's preventing us from saying "You can't be a doctor because you were designed to be a carpenter?"

Granted, these are all extremes, but they're extremes worth considering because they're all possibilities.

[CDRaider]

Originally Posted by jmoum

Finally, what's to say that we won't use this to bring back the old class system? We'll design people who are smart to take care of businesses, people who are compassionate to take care of things like the medical field, and people who are strong to do manual labor? What's preventing us from saying "You can't be a doctor because you were designed to be a carpenter?"

Granted, these are all extremes, but they're extremes worth considering because they're all possibilities.

*blown back* Huh, never thought of it that way. excuse me while I go ponder that.

[Djamila]

I am completely divided on this issue, completely. There is nothing I could say that I couldn't easily contradict thinking in a different way.

[Revasser]

Free and open to everybody? Good idea.

Restricted (as it probably would be) only to the rich who can afford it? Bad idea.

[Rejected]

Instead of in-vitro manipulation I say we just adopt a global selective sterilization/breeding program and let natural selection take over